Never miss a local story.

But many people now have no choice in plans since so many insurance companies have pulled out of the ACA.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolinais now the only option for individual coverage in Mecklenburg County.

I face a 375 percent cost increase to $1,045 per month, but at least I have pediatric vision and dental coverage – (no kids).

In 2018 it will take almost $20,000 to pay premiums and the tax on the income needed to do so. “Affordable”?

Doug Riley, Huntersville

Spark a health care provider price war

I for one am happy with the recent price wars between Whole Foods and Walmart. What’s not to like about lower food prices?

If only we could spark a price war between health care providers. That alone would make America great again, folks.

Ken Rutherford, Charlotte

Beware of GOP tax plan ad campaigns

The backroom Republican tax cut is being rushed through Congress with no public hearings.

Billionaires like Todd Ricketts and Sheldon Adelson have put up $10 million for the pro-tax reform campaign ads we see. The Koch brothers are funding another $10 million ad campaign through Americans for Prosperity.

The American Action Network, a pro-Republican group which is not required to disclose its donors, plans to spend up to $22 million on pro-tax reform ads.

Under this plan the government will collect $1.5 trillion less in revenue over the next 10 years.

Another trickle-down economics plan that’s supposed to result in more jobs with higher pay. Will it work this time?

Bernie Kaminsky, Matthews

Trump news no longer shocks us

It is truly amazing how the daily onslaught of news from the White House has become the new norm to the point that we’re no longer shocked but have settled into complacency.

Why don’t we think the idea of Mick Mulvaney as head of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau belongs in a Doonesbury comic strip?

Are we supposed to swallow the idea that Trump’s big-game hunting sons will ensure the survival of elephants after Poppa reversed the ban on trophy hunting?

At the outset of the new administration it seemed clear Trump wanted to take us back to 20th-century standards. Now it’s increasingly clear his target is the 19th century – or possibly the Middle Ages.

Bob Kirby, Charlotte

Assault on N.C. forests unfounded

The writer is executive director of the US Industrial Pellet Association.

The op-ed “N.C. forests are under assault; Cooper can help” (Nov 15 Opinion) is scaremongering.

Seth Ginther

The use of sustainable, low-grade wood fiber for energy brings enormous benefits, including reduced carbon, increased forests and jobs for North Carolina. As the world’s largest producer of wood pellets, Enviva is a leader in the industry in sustainable practices and in maintaining the health of growing forests.

As former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated “demand for wood pellets also delivers compelling carbon and societal benefits to the United States.”

Seth Ginther, Richmond, Va.

Focus on good that police do, hire more

In response to Issac Bailey “Police should defend justice, not other police” (Nov. 13 Opinion):

Yes, unfortunately we have some bad police officers, but compared to the good ones they are few and far between.

Thousands of our men and women in blue go out every day to protect us from the murderers and foul people who wander the street of our cities.

Let’s give some attention and recognition to the good police for a change.

Charlotte is fortunate to have Chief Kerr Putney, and for God’s sake please give him more staff to fight the crime here. Charlotte is growing by leaps and bounds.

Barbara Bell Kerr, Charlotte

Look around, crown logo is a perfect fit

In response to “Might want to rethink that crown logo” (Nov. 17 Forum):

Forum writer Philip Van Hoy, really? Discard the crown logo?

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s all around this city. I guess, next, we’ll need to get rid of Queen Charlotte and the statue at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and rename Queens University of Charlotte.